Kozhikode: IWM Bhagyashree Thipsay, Sangeetha M.R. and Koneru Chandrahasa were leading with 6.5 points each at the end of the eighth and penultimate round in the 30th National Women B chess championship Wednesday.

Top seed Swati Ghate (5), who had a poor run throughout the tournament, lost to Nilavoli virtually move out of contention.

Bengal, however, had a mixed day in office. Saheli Dhar Barua (5) and Saheli Nath (5.5) both notched up victories in Round 8, getting the better of Sheena E. and Amrutha Sunil Mokal, respectively. Mary Ann Gomes (5) also triumphed over Nabeela Farheen.

But, Sreeparna Chakraborty (5.5) and Supriya Maji, both Round 7 winners, lost to Karavade and Koneru, respectively, in the next round.